Chest Infections

Hi to all, apart from not smoking, keeping fit and taking vitamins, I seem be constantly getting chest infections. When I do get them they are pretty severe and take a long time to heal. I have had phnumonia once before (about 7yrs ago) and take antiboitics such as Augmentin duo and use ventolin when I get an infection. Can anyone suggest an effective antibiotic to knock these bugs out?

I know what your talkin about. Im going through that right now. I dont smoke, I exercise and i take vitamins also. It started about 2 weeks ago and I have been on Augmentin for a week now and its hardly gotten better. My doctor only gave me a weeks worth of antibiotics. Im wondering if its because I waited a week to go see him that the infection just got so bad that a week of antibiotics is not long enough to kick it in the butt. So I guess Im gonna have to call him on Monday and see what to do. I have never had pnuemonia and I dont want to get there, but I just cant seem to get this stuff out of my chest. And overall its just wearing me out and my chest hurts from trying to cough it up.
~Mia~

Glad Im not Robinson Crusoe on this one Mia. I havn't smoked for over 10 yrs (45 now) and am only alergic to dust mite, cat hair. I guess Im just succeptable where I have bad sinuses and it usually goes to straight to my chest. Maybe I have to seek further advice on better antibiotics or perhaps get a flu jab next yr. This bug is NASTY!!

If you have had your tonsils removed, that may promote the movement of infection into the chest more easily. I've seen this happen with my Mom and my Husband, both of whom have had their tonsils removed. My Brother and I still have our tonsils, and colds/flu tend to stay out of our chest or to not be quite as severe for us.

Also, antibiotics do NOT treat viral or fungal infections (although viral or fungal infections can sometimes enable secondary bacterial infections to take place), and in some cases may make the infection worse (because the antibiotics will kill off good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which can then lead to fungal infections in the gastrointestinal tract or elsewhere in the body, and can also make a person more susceptible to other kinds of infections). It might be good to look into nutritional and alternative methods of treating your infections if the antibiotics are not helping. Naturopathic physicians may be of benefit, especially for viral & fungal infections that are not responding to treatment with regular MD-prescribed medications.